Pillow Productivity

Once upon a time – what seems like forever ago – calls were received on land lines, computers were big, heavy and desk-bound, and Internet was hooked up to a dial-up modem – remember that dial up tone? These days, the scene couldn’t be more different.

With compact and powerful processing capabilities of mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, and wireless Internet all designed to help people stay in touch while on the go, what’s becoming increasingly common is the opposite of mobility… It’s working from bed.

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In fact, in a recent survey conducted in the US, 8 out of 10 young, professional New Yorkers work from bed both before and after work hours. And this isn’t a habit unique to inhabitants of the Big Apple: One in five workers in the UK spend between two and ten hours a week working from bed.

Can’t deny the numbers…

Of 1 000 respondents surveyed by Good Technology, 50% check their email from bed – some because they can; others because they’ve got demanding clients and time zones to consider.

And of course, in the world of business, where people are taking up lifestyle habits, there’s money to be made. While working from bed is a lot more comfortable than sitting at a desk, it’s not the most ergonomic design, and some savvy businesses are set and ready to cash in:

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Bed manufacturers are making remote-controlled, adjustable beds, so you can find that perfect working spot. Even hospital beds aren’t safe, having power sockets included in the frame for charging devices.

If adjustable mattresses are a step too far for comfort (and a step closer to a seriously peeved spouse), here are some smaller gadgetry for bringing your office to bed:

This pyramid pillow from levinger.com for $39 allows you to prop up your tablet and finally stop losing pens in the sheets.

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Creating the perfect office environment is a major challenge for new and experienced entrepreneurs alike. Your workplace environment affects the morale of every member of your team, including you, and is responsible for forming that important first impression of every prospective client who walks in the door.

But rather than sit and speculate about how to make your office better, why not look to some great examples of companies that have already mastered it?

Key principles

Throughout the following examples, you’ll see the following principles in action:

Adherence to brand values and personality. First, every office seems to “fit” with the overall culture and personality of the brand offering it. This provides the groundwork for better team cohesion and establishes a more powerful identity for the company.

Sensory experiences. There are interesting sights, sounds and even pleasant smells, making each office seem both unique and welcoming. Small environmental changes here can make a big difference.

Comfort and convenience. Finally, most of these office designs aim to make life more comfortable and convenient for these businesses’ employees. Comfort and convenience lead to higher employee retention and better on-the-job performance.

Now let’s dig into six companies whose offices make work more appealing to everyone involved:

10 Examples Of Companies With Fantastic Cultures

Having great company culture is no longer just an option. Today’s workers consider it as much as they consider salary and benefits. In fact, fantastic company culture is almost expected along with other traditional benefits.

While the culture that works for one company might not work for another, you can learn a lot from companies who are doing it right, and get started on company culture hacks of your own.

(Slideshow) Bizarre Buildings

The Bubble Building. This inflatable, antibacterial building was designed to keep out germs in the Shanghai city centre. While it may resemble a giant jumping castle, if built it will provide an ultra-clean office space.

The building could be created using inflatables made of white antibacterial nylon that are placed around the exterior of an ordinary office building.